Newcastle United and Leicester City will be eager to return to winning ways when they lock horns at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
The 2024/25 Premier League season resumes this weekend with Gameweek 16. The latest round of fixtures starts with four simultaneous matches on Saturday, including Newcastle United vs Leicester City at St. James’ Park.
Newcastle United would have hoped to embark on a top-four charge similar to the 2022/23 season, considering they only have domestic football to worry about this term. However, Eddie Howe’s men have been underwhelming in the first half of the 2024/25 campaign, winning, losing, and drawing five games apiece.
In addition, the Magpies have failed to win their last four Premier League games, with the run of results leaving them languishing in the 12th spot in the standings. On the other hand, things look brighter for Leicester City, although the visitors also failed to win their most recent Premier League outing.
However, Ruud van Nistelrooy has heralded a turnaround in fortunes at the Midlands club. The Foxes are unbeaten under the tutelage of the Dutch tactician, garnering four points in two Premier League games thus far to create a five-point gap over 18th-placed Ipswich Town.
The most recent Premier League clash featuring Newcastle United and Leicester City at St. James’ Park ended in a goalless stalemate, with the two teams managing only five shots on target between them. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Newcastle United
Eddie Howe has greeted a positive update on the team news front ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Newcastle United manager might be bereft of the services of only four first-team players vs Leicester City on Saturday.
Howe has been sweating over the fitness of Nick Pope, who has been recovering from a knee injury. However, the veteran goalkeeper should be fit enough to take on Leicester City. In addition, Joe Willock will likely return, although he faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Lewis Miley is also closing in on returning to action, although he will not take the field from the get-go. However, Jamaal Lascelles (knee), Emil Krafth (shoulder), Sven Botman (knee), and Callum Wilson (hamstring) remain on the sidelines.
Pope should take his spot between the sticks, with Newcastle United lining up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of him vs Leicester City on Saturday. The backline will likely feature Valentino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, and Lewis Hall.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes will aim to pull the strings, with Sandro Tonali and Joelinton accompanying the Brazilian international in the middle of the park. Alexander Isak will lead the line for Newcastle United, with Anthony Gordon and former Leicester City forward Harvey Barnes completing the numbers in the final third.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
Leicester City
Unlike his counterpart in the Newcastle United dugout, Ruud van Nistelrooy has a new roster issue to worry about ahead of the trip to St. James’ Park. However, the Leicester City manager will also greet the return of a few players.
Wilfred Ndidi is the latest absentee, with the experienced midfielder recovering from a hamstring injury. The Nigerian international accompanies Jakub Stolarczyk (ankle), Ricardo Pereira (thigh), and Abdul Issahaku Fatawu (knee) on the sidelines.
In addition, Boubakary Soumare serves a suspension. However, Harry Winks (groin) and Odsonne Edouard (knock) should return, while Facundo Buonanotte is available after missing last weekend’s game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Mads Hermansen is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Leicester City lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Newcastle United on Saturday. The backline should feature James Justin, Conor Coady, Jannik Vestergaard, and Victor Kristiansen.
As for the midfield unit, Hamza Choudhury should make a rare start, lining up alongside Oliver Skipp in the double pivot. Buonanotte will reprise the no. 10 role, with Kasey McAteer and Bilal El Khannouss being the two wide attackers. Finally, the evergreen Jamie Vardy will spearhead the Leicester City attack against Newcastle United on Saturday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Hermansen; Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen; Choudhury, Skipp; McAteer, Buonanotte, El Khannouss; Vardy
Key Stats
- Newcastle United have won just one of their last seven Premier League home games vs Leicester City (D1 L5). The Foxes have won six Premier League away matches against the Tyneside outfit, more than against any other opponent.
- Newcastle have gone four Premier League games without a win, winning only two of their 11 most recent outings (D4 L5). The Magpies have 20 points after 15 matches; they were on 30 points at this stage in the 2022/23 season and 26 points in the 2023/24 campaign.
- Leicester City have won only one of their last seven league matches (D2 L4). The Foxes have conceded the opening goal in 11 of their 15 Premier League fixtures this season, a joint-high alongside Southampton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy is unbeaten in his last 22 matches as a manager across all competitions.
- Alexander Isak has been involved in 24 Premier League goals in 2024, scoring 19 times and providing five assists. That is the most in a year by a Newcastle United player since Alan Shearer’s 31 in 2002.
Player to Watch
Jamie Vardy
Few would have envisioned Jamie Vardy taking the Premier League by storm as a 37-year-old veteran striker. The unlikeliest success story in English football continues to add more feathers to his cap, and he remains Leicester City’s most pivotal figure despite his advancing years.
Vardy has been involved in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances, scoring four times and providing three assists. The English striker kick-started Leicester City’s comeback against Brighton & Hove Albion last weekend. Expect another game-changing performance by the Leicester City talisman if the Foxes get something from Saturday’s game.
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-1 Leicester City
Newcastle United might have marked Saturday’s game vs Leicester City as one of the best opportunities to grab three points. However, form and momentum have drastically changed things, with the home side struggling to get past opponents and Ruud van Nistelrooy turning things around at Leicester City.
Newcastle United have won only one of their five most recent home league games (D2 L2), and that frustrating run might continue this weekend. With Jamie Vardy in fine form, Leicester City should have enough quality to hold Newcastle United to a 1-1 draw.
